The PFL World Tournament semifinals wrapped up with the middleweight main event of Friday’s PFL Chicago, which saw Fabian Edwards take on Josh Silveira.
Edwards was a former Bellator MMA title challenger, Silveira had gone to the finals of a PFL Global season previously, though neither had managed to claim gold.
Early on, Silveira delivered some nasty low kicks, but Edwards ripped some of his own. Both men stumbled at times, and just under two minutes in, Silveira opted to change up the pace. He drove in on a takedown, though Edwards appeared up to the job of defending it. Both men would find success with their right hands during the round. And when they did go to the ground, Edwards was able to briefly take the back, though it was Silveira who would finish the round there.
Round two saw Silveira in on a single leg, and when Edwards stuffed it, Josh adjusted. Yet again, when they went to the ground, it was Edwards who was briefly able to get control. Only briefly, however, as Silveira adjusted and got back in control. Fabian was able to escape to his feet soon enough, and when they went back down, it was Fabian in control.
Silveira had been hurt by some knees to the body, and that might have allowed Edwards a little more success than he’d otherwise manage. Edwards briefly had the back, then transitioned to top, in half guard, looking for space to land elbows and clubbing punches. As Silveira moved to his feet, another Edwards knee landed. And as Silveira changed levels, Edwards ripped off a few more elbows.
Edwards had looked solid in round two, and in the third, ripped Silveira to the body, forcing him to take a step back. The knees in the second, the body shots in the third, it was all taking a toll, and moments later, Edwards had taken Silveira down. Silveira rolled to a knee, posting up along the fence. Yet there was Edwards, firing another knee; Silveira looked for an ankle pick, but basically gave up his back in the process. Silveira would eventually reverse, but Edwards was back to his feet moments later. And there, a left hand connected, hurting Silveira. He went after the desperation takedown, but barring a miracle, it was going to be Fabian Edwards meeting Dalton Rosta in the PFL World Tournament middleweight final.
That miracle did not come for Silveria, and it was indeed Edwards headed to the final.
Official Result: Fabian Edwards def. Josh Silveira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
